NEW YORK: November 18, 2008The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad will visit France

On November 21, 2008, the feast day of Holy Archangel Michael and the Heavenly Host, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion will celebrate Divine Liturgy at Archangel Michael Church in Paterson, NJ. That evening, His Eminence, will make an archpastoral visit to Cannes, where he will join the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian diaspora. On November 22-23, he will officiate at divine services at the Church of Archangel Michael, and will participate in a meeting of the Association of the parish. During the general meeting, the Association will review the amendments made to its Statutes, already approved by the Council of the Association, which confirm the stavropighial status of this church to the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

On Tuesday, November 25, His Eminence will visit the holy sites of Paris, and Resurrection Church in Medon.

The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad will be accompanied by his Personal Secretary, Protopriest Serafim Gan, Deacon Eugene Kallaur and Nicholas Ohotin.